Chapter 1057

Joe took the burrito from Skylar and immediately bit into it. Crispy fried bits added a delightful texture, and it was surprisingly delicious. He was quite hungry. A wave of contentment washed over him as he glanced at Skylar, who was eating with her head down. It was remarkable how sharing a simple street food meal could bring such tranquility and comfort.

“This is pretty good,” he remarked.

Skylar looked up and smiled. “When I was in high school in Liberty County, I used to get burritos from a stand outside the school. They tasted similar to this one.”

“You went to high school here?” Joe glanced around at Liberty County. There weren’t any tall buildings, nor were there many people. The streets were, however, clean and well-kept.

“Yeah, right here,” she said, intimately familiar with the place. She hadn’t had much opportunity to return since starting college.

Joe suggested, “After we return from the countryside, take me to see your school.”

Skylar nodded enthusiastically. “We can buy evening train tickets for our return trip. I’ll show you around.”

“Sounds good.”

They boarded the bus and sat for several dozen minutes. To Skylar’s surprise, Joe didn’t complain once. He seemed genuinely curious about the countryside and eager to explore. In reality, few young people remained; most had moved away, leaving mostly older residents.

Upon arrival, their neighbor, Alma Vega, squinted at Skylar before recognizing her. “Skye! I haven’t seen you in two years! You’ve become even more beautiful. Is this your boyfriend?”

Skylar smiled and confirmed. Joe followed suit, addressing Alma warmly as “Mrs. Munoz Senior.”

Alma beamed. “Are your mom and brothers back yet?”

Skylar laughed lightly. “They’ve been busy lately. They’ll visit soon.”

“Good, good. The village is getting quieter. You should visit more often. By the way, Viola returned a few days ago but only stayed overnight. I didn’t get to talk to her. Is she traveling with you to Jipsburg?” Alma, a little hard of hearing, spoke loudly.

Skylar’s expression changed at the mention of Viola. “Mrs. Munoz Senior, are you sure Grandma Viola came back?”

“Of course, Skye! She’s lived here for over twenty years. I wouldn’t mistake her for anyone else. Although, she didn’t seem well. She was coughing quite a bit,” Alma replied.

Skylar felt concern for Viola. After exchanging a glance with Joe, she spoke briefly with Alma before leading him to her childhood home.

The countryside house was simple—a two-story home. Long unoccupied, the yard was filled with dust and overgrown grass. Joe was proactive, unfazed by the mess, and immediately began tidying up with Skylar.

After an hour, the bedroom was livable. Skylar tended to the yard, cleaning it somewhat, though not completely. They could finish gradually over the next few days; it was sufficient for the night. They’d picked up groceries on their way back, and the kitchen had the necessary utensils. They had cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar—enough for a simple meal.

After a long day of travel and cleaning, Skylar and Joe felt exhausted. Once Skylar finished cooking, they moved the table outside and ate in the yard. The countryside was quiet; they spoke little. Yet, a shared warmth shone in their smiles. While cleaning, they had worked seamlessly together, almost like a long-married couple. The thought made Skylar chuckle softly, prompting Joe to glance at her.

Chapter 1058